Yesterday’s anniversary of October 1, along with the military parade in downtown Nicosia, sparked a barrage of criticism from Ankara and the occupied territories.
Ankara was quick to announce that the Turkish army is present on the island and will protect its interests at all costs.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We closely monitored the military parade on the Greek Cypriot side. Its arms procurement activities and military cooperation with third countries negatively affect the balance of power on the island.”
Turkish Ministry of National Defense
Turkey was particularly annoyed by the presence of F-16 fighter jets, as well as by Nikos Dendias himself.
“Greece’s actions were also provocative, undermining the climate of stability and increasing tensions. We will continue to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Turkish Cypriots.”
Turkish Ministry of National Defense
The military parade was also covered by Turkish television channels.
“On August 16, 1960, Cyprus declared its independence from British rule, which was guaranteed by Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom through the London and Zurich Agreements. At the so-called Independence Day parade held in the Greek Cypriot part of Cyprus, Barak MX air defense systems procured from Israel were displayed, along with military armored vehicles, coastal defense systems, and anti-ship missile systems acquired from France.”
Haber Global
The Ministry of National Defense described the ceremony as a blatant provocation.
The Turkish Cypriot press, as a whole, expressed its displeasure at the escalation of the parade and the display of new weapon systems, as well as the presence of military units from other countries.
A typical example is the headline in Avrupa: “Small island, big headache.”
“Military units from the U.S., Britain, France, and Egypt participated; for the first time, there was a drone demonstration, with special mention of the Poseidon H-10 unmanned aerial vehicles, the Barak MX systems, while President Christodoulides stated that he is proud of the National Guard’s capabilities.”
Avroupa
“A dangerous show of force took place. The Greek Cypriot side displayed foreign military units and missile systems, and F-16s also participated.”
Halkin Sesi
“The Turkish Ministry of Defense reacted immediately, referring to provocative actions.”
Kibris
The well-known supporters of the two states in the occupied territories also reacted strongly, such as the so-called Prime Minister Ünal Ustel, who stressed that Turkish Cypriots cannot continue to assert their rights through threats, military equipment, and narratives that distort history.
Watch Giorgos Georgiadis’s report:
